Planning Commission OKs project at 330 University

By Nathan R. Huff

Los Gatos developer Bill Hirschman has learned well how best to deal with the Los Gatos planning process--very carefully.

Hirschman's careful, meticulous designs of the 25 new homes planned for a new subdivision at 330 University Ave. paid off Feb. 23. Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plan, with only minor strings attached.

Commissioners praised Hirschman for the smaller size and scale of the single family, duplex, and triplex designs, as well as his attempts to vary the styles, architecture and materials to create a neighborhood that did not look as if it was built all at once.

"I know how long and hard we've all worked on this project," Planning Commission chairwoman Laura Nachison said. "I'm pleased to see that when we talked about a range of home sizes, we didn't end up in the upper range."

Since it was first proposed in the summer of 1998, the project has overcome traffic concerns and heavy neighborhood opposition. No neighbors spoke at the Feb. 23 meeting.

Aside from several dozen minor style suggestions, the commission also asked the developer to replace some of the deciduous trees with oaks and evergreens, place a restriction on the building of accessory dwellings by future homeowners, reduce the height of light posts and install benches in the community areas. Hirschman indicated he had no problem complying with the commission's recommendations.

New Planning Commissioner Suzanne Muller said she was impressed with both the project and the architect's willingness to listen to additional suggestions. "I was quite impressed with the fact that they integrated some very different but very compatible architectural styles," Muller said.

The 25 units will be done in four styles based on the existing Edelen neighborhood--Spanish Eclectic, Craftsman, Folk Victorian and Victorian Shingle. They will be designed so that no two buildings are exactly the same. The development also features three below market price (BMP) units.

Muller added that the work Hirschman did with the Planning Department staff, the Historical Preservation Committee and the Development Review Committee prior to coming to the Planning Commission greatly improved the project.

"It was all the upfront work [that led to approval]," Muller said. "Often people come in and have done a lot of work with their architect but haven't dealt much with the town. Then they feel a little blindsided."

Hirschman said after the meeting that he was pleased with the commission's decision. He was unavailable for further comment.

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